Technology

Information security at nine selected Medicare administrative contractors, at least as of two years ago, was improving, but deficiencies remain, according to a report from the Department of Health & Human Services Office of the Inspector General.

I've learned after many years of covering long-term care that certain things are sure to arouse providers' anger — over regulation, under payment and reckless media accounts among them. What provokes fear is even easier to identify: technology.

Medicare beneficiary smart cards would have a limited impact on reducing fraud and could even introduce "new, more sophisticated fraud schemes," a new report by the Government Accountability Office concludes.

Families trust us to keep their loved ones safe and to provide top-quality care. Some days are more hectic than others, and on those chaotic days, the Real-Time Locating System helps us function efficiently as possible.

If someone were to complain that long-term care has become a "same old, same old" scene, you might be inclined to agree. Staffing, reimbursement, over-regulation — they're all ongoing challenges — well, OK, outright problems. And they're not the only ones. But things clearly are not the same.

The Affordable Care Act presents providers with many challenges, including some that aren't being well met yet. A McKnight's webcast on Aug. 13 will discuss the fundamentals needed — including strategy, data and technology — that can help your organization stay ahead.

The next McKnight's Super Tuesday webcast will help providers discern if they are prepared to be a preferred "connected" partner of hospitals and physicians. The free event takes place at 1 p.m. Eastern on Aug. 5 and offers Continuing Education credit at no cost.

Technology is changing how we care for seniors, and with the number of seniors in the U.S. expected to double by 2050, entrepreneurs are investing in new technologies designed specifically for the senior population. This trend has the potential to improve the lives of not only seniors, but also those who care for America's aging population as well.

Healthcare providers are considered relatively slow technology adopters, and long-term care operators as a sub-group are believed to be among the slowest. Whether or not that's true, at least you have a cool resource to gauge how you are spreading your tech dollars compared to your peers.

Long-term care facilities are implementing electronic health records (EHR) at a rapid pace. For example, at our company, we have completed more EHR implementations in the last two and half years than we did in the previous five years combined — and for good reason. EHR systems help facilities capture crucial clinical, financial and operational data to help them work more efficiently and deliver better care to residents.

We appreciate the opportunity to be part of a transition team approach with the skilled nursing facility when patients are discharged home. The technologies available can reduce anxiety for both families and the patients upon their return home.

As technologies continue to develop, our residents' needs also change. The need for a computer lab is waning as our residents are starting to be more tech-savvy. Life enrichment teams in long-term care must come up with new ideas of how to embrace technology.

Wandered through the exhibit hall at a senior living conference lately? Technology is meandering fast and furiously into the world of senior living; it's coming from all angles. Thumb through any McKnight's publication, wander aimlessly through the above mentioned trade show exhibits, listen to nursing home pundits talk about the future and it's clear: Technology is everywhere!

It's no secret that long-term care has been behind the curve when it comes to technology adoption. We keep telling people to invest, and providers respond that there is no money. But it's a little more complicated than that.

Long-term care providers seeking to leverage new technology are part of a much larger trend: 86% of global healthcare CEOs believe that tech will fundamentally transform the sector in the next five years, according to a new survey from PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Watching the Australian Open tennis tournament, where temperatures have been hovering around 110 degrees, has helped my recovery from the recent polar vortex. It's also unexpectedly prompted me to reflect on the aging process and to imagine myself residing in a long-term care facility.